Former CENTCOM Commander: The Main Goal of the Islamic Republic is No Longer Saving Hamas, but Expelling America from the Region

General McKenzie, the former commander of CENTCOM, provided insights in an exclusive interview with Voice of America regarding recent developments in the Middle East, stating that "the main goal of the Islamic Republic is no longer saving Hamas, but expelling America from the region." In this discussion, he elaborated on the U.S. strikes against Iranian-affiliated command centers and weapon depots in Syria over the past two weeks, noting that no airstrikes were conducted in Iraq. He emphasized that to prevent further attacks, it is essential to understand Iran's long-term objective, which is to force the U.S. out of the region, with Iraq and Syria being the main battlegrounds. He mentioned that the U.S. has taken significant steps to convey to Iran that now is not the time for escalating conflict, including deploying additional military assets such as aircraft carriers and fighter squadrons. McKenzie highlighted that Iran is aware of the U.S. military capabilities and historically adjusts its behavior in response to overwhelming U.S. firepower. He expressed that recent U.S. military actions are designed to communicate to Iran that now is not the time for escalation or to pursue their long-term goal of expelling the U.S. from the region. Reflecting on the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, he reiterated the importance of maintaining deterrence. He noted that the coming days would be critical in determining whether Iran would adjust its activities or continue its aggression. McKenzie also discussed the potential for proxy groups to conduct attacks that could provoke a broader conflict, emphasizing that Iran's primary goal is to expel the U.S. from the region rather than solely supporting Hamas in Gaza. He expressed skepticism about whether Iranian proxies would engage in significant attacks, suggesting that Iran believes it can inflict minor casualties without provoking a major U.S. retaliation. He also addressed the possibility of direct conflict between Iran and Israel, particularly involving Hezbollah, indicating that any decision to enter a war would be strategic and not driven by emotional responses to the situation in Gaza. He concluded by noting the complexities and internal divisions among Iranian-supported groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which complicate their unified approach against Israel.